Liberal Studies at Santa Barbara City College is an interdisciplinary program that provides students with a foundation of knowledge in the areas of English composition, critical thinking, oral communication, physical and life sciences, arts and humanities, and social sciences. Through this program, students acquire a breadth of knowledge across multiple disciplines, explore how knowledge across disciplines can be connected, analyze and evaluate ideas using the tools of critical thinking, and demonstrate effective communication skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

The Associate in Arts for Transfer degree in Elementary Teacher Education: Integrated Programs prepares students to transfer into a Liberal Studies or a similar elementary teacher preparation major. The degree is designed to meet introductory content area subject matter requirements for a multiple subject teaching credential which is required for teaching at the elementary school level. Students who complete the degree will also gain practical experience through classroom observations and interaction with elementary students and faculty.

The Associate in Arts for Transfer degree in Elementary Teacher Education: Integrated Programs provides students with the foundational knowledge necessary to make a successful transition into a Baccalaureate Degree at any of the CSU campuses.  The Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) is a special degree offered at California Community Colleges. Students who earn an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission to a campus within the California State University (CSU) system in a similar major, although not necessarily to a specific campus. Students who complete an AA-T or AS-T are given priority consideration when applying to a particular program that is similar to the student’s community college major, and will be given a special GPA advantage when applying to CSU impacted campuses or majors.

Students should consult with an academic counselor when choosing electives in order to develop a program of study that is best suited to their specific needs. For example, requirements for the baccalaureate degree in Liberal Studies vary from one institution to another. It is, therefore, essential to become familiar with the requirements of the institution that a student plans to attend.

 Visit https://adegreewithaguarantee.com/ for more information about these degrees. 

Associate Degree for Transfer Graduation Requirements

Complete all of the following:

1. All Major Requirements listed below with a “C” or better or "P" in each course.
2. Cal-GETC pattern.
3. At least 60 CSU transferable semester units.
4. Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework.
5. A minimum of 12 units through SBCC. 

Important Note: This AA-T in Elementary Teacher Education: Integrated Programs replaces the old AA-T in Elementary Teacher Education which was deactivated effective Fall 2025.  New students beginning at SBCC in Fall 2025 or after need to complete the AA-T in Elementary Teacher Education: Integrated Programs requirements.  Students with catalog rights prior to Fall 2025 are advised to consult the CSU ADT Major & Campus Search database to determine which bachelor's degree programs offered by the CSU campuses are deemed similar to the each of the two AA-Ts.   Students are also advised to consult ASSIST (www.assist.org) and to meet with an academic counselor to discuss the best combination of courses to take for their AA-T to ensure they receive the admission benefits associated with it, and to meet the requirements of the transfer institution to which they are intending to transfer.   

1. Develop an awareness of the study of cultural, literary, humanistic activities and artistic expression of human beings.
2. Evaluate and interpret the ways in which humans through the ages in different cultures have responded to themselves and the world around them in artistic and cultural creation.
3. Use the scientific method to develop and test a hypothesis.
4. Use mathematics to predict and model scientific phenomena.
5. Evaluate human behavior and human interaction in the social and physical environment.
6. Survey, analyze and interpret concepts, theories and methodologies to cultivate an understanding of human beings and the societies and cultures they create.
7. Identify and evaluate how societies and social subgroups operate.

Make an appointment with your SBCC academic counselor through Starfish to create a Student Education Plan that reflects a recommended course sequence for this program that is tailored to your individual needs.

How to schedule an Academic Counseling appointment.